Marco lies in a medically induced coma while Ay'ana waits for the doctor to answer her questions about the future. Let's see what he has to say...

* * * *

“I don’t know at this point. As I said, we have to wait and see. The damage to the bones in the leg is a clean
break and we expect it should heal without complications, but the severe
bruising to the back combined with the broken hip could cause some temporary
paralysis. We’ll do everything we can
and he’ll start physical therapy as soon as possible, but at this point, that’s
all I know. Best case…I’d say he’ll be
out of action for at least a year—maybe longer.
He will require several hours of intensive therapy a day, either here or
at another facility near his residence.
Again, I’d advise you to get some rest, Ms. Levy. Your continued presence here tonight will
serve no useful purpose.”

Ay’ana
gritted her teeth. “I’ll stay until the
family arrives. After they get here,
I’ll go home for a while. Please have
someone let me know when I can sit with him.”

“Of
course, ma’am, as you wish. I’ll have
the nurse come and get you when it’s time.”
The surgeon took one last look at her as he left the room. The image of her lovely coffee toned face
glissaded through his tired, sleep deprived mind and lifted his mood. I wouldn’t mind waking up to see her sitting
next to me . . . especially if I were in as bad a shape as Domenico is.

Two
hours later, Ay’ana paced up and down the short distance along the side of
Marco’s bed. She sighed and looked down
at him. Even unconscious, Marco’s
intense virility filled the room. The
extent of his injuries overwhelmed her, submerging the usual animosity she always
experienced in his presence. (The preview concludes next week.)

* * * *

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